A new sculpture of writer Jane Austen has been commissioned by a Bath tourist attraction.

The full-size waxwork of the author will be based on a new portrait by a forensic artist.

There is only one authentic portrait of the writer who lived in Bath at the beginning of the 19th century, a tiny pencil and watercolour image in the National Portrait Gallery. The painting by her sister Cassandra was described as “hideously unlike” her by her nephew.

The Jane Austen Centre in Gay Street unveiled the new painting by trained police artist Melissa Dring in 2003, describing it as the most realistic likeness yet of the world-renowned novelist.

Ms Dring, who trained with the FBI, spent a year researching the author, reading her private letters and studying pictures of her family to put together the portrait.

Now she will be part of a team creating the new sculpture, in a process which will also take a year.

The sculptor will be Mark Richards while graphologist Patricia Field will be providing additional character insights using samples of Austen’s handwriting.

Centre director David Baldock said: “A full-size wax figure will certainly meet a strong demand from our visitors to get up close to Jane.”

The creative process will be filmed by documentary-maker Grace Productions, which is currently approaching actors and celebrities with a personal interest in Austen, to appear in the programme.

The finished sculpture will be on display at the centre from next summer.

Mr Richards is regarded as one of the UK’s finest exponents of portrait sculpture, and previous commissions include a bust of footballer Eric Cantona, and a bronze of The Queen and Prince Philip. He also designed this year’s royal wedding £5 coin.